It is 2017 - where have we come from?

Its amazing to think that we are now 16 full years through the 21st Century.

Looking back to the 20th Century, 100 years ago at the start of 1917, the world was in the middle of World War 1 - or the Great War.

Although New Zealand allowed women to vote in 1893, women and coloured people were still disenfranchised at the start of 1917. Women got the vote in the USA in 1920, and in the UK in 1928.

JFK (John F Kennedy) was born on May 29th 1917.

In October of 1917, the Russian Bolshevik Revolution took place.

The technological innovations that were created during WW1 included: Sanitary Napkins, Mobile XRay machines as well as Pilotless Drones (Now commonly referred to as UAS - Unmanned Aerial Systems.) Also coming to prominence during WW1 were Tanks, and Air Traffic Control systems.

Cars existed, but were far from commonplace. 

Telephones were still a novelty and people had to learn how to use them.

What about 50 years ago - in 1967?  what was happening then?

The Vietnam War, JFK had been assassinated in 1963, women had the vote and were starting to become more empowered.  WW2 had provided a taste of employment, before the 1950's reminded women of their place in the home.

The USA was the leader of the Free World.  Consumerism and Industrialisation were in full force, as well as a lack of tolerance for anyone who was different.  Racism proliferated throughout the world (including in New Zealand), people with disabilities were not provided for, orphanages and insane asylums still existed.

Cars were prolific and a key household asset.  Televisions and phones were ubiquitous and people couldn't imagine life without them.

What about now?

Technology is essential to our day to day life now, and the evolution of technology is accelerating at a logarithmic rate.  Things like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality are likely to be part of my everyday life (as long as I live for another 20 or so years.) Technology simplifies procedures, purchasing paths - while complicating our lives as we grapple with continual upgrades and changes that the developers think we need.

To read more, click here.

Still haven't written your will?

Part of our job as Financial Planners, is to ensure that everything is in place to make life simple for the survivors when our clients.  A core part of this is ensuring that our clients have Wills in place, but this is commonly one of the most difficult things to get our clients to do.
 
People don’t like thinking about death, and what will happen if they aren’t here, but having a valid Will in place will ensure that your loved ones will have a much easier time when you aren’t here.  Half of Kiwis don’t have a will in place, and if you are under age 40, around 70% of people don’t have a will in place.
 
There are a few rules around writing a will, including:

1. To be valid it should have two witnesses to your signature (who are actually there when you sign it, and who have nothing to do with executing the will, nor be a beneficiary or Trustee of the will.)
2. You need to name an Executor (who will sort things out for you when you die).
3. You need to have signed and dated the will.
4. You should clearly identify what you want to happen to your assets and things (if you have precious things, or things that you particularly want to leave to someone.)

 
Your lawyer may offer to assist you with putting in place your Will when you buy or sell a home, there may be a small charge.  You can go to a Trustee company (but be aware of their charges for administering your Will when you die), or you can use an online or templated option to write your will.
 
Diana Clement wrote an article in the NZ Herald about Online options in 2015, which you can find here:
 
Online options can make writing a will an easy task [Diana Clement] http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11456989
 
Here are some locations where you can set up your will online:
 
My-Bucketlist.co.nz    http://www.my-bucketlist.co.nz/wills-and-documents/ ($49.95)
Ewills.co.nz     http://www.ewills.co.nz/ (from $100)
KiwiBank – https://www.kiwibank.co.nz/business-banking/help-advice/free-online-will/ (Free online will)
 
The online will services have some algorithms built in that will stop you in your tracks if your will is getting too complicated and will refer you to someone to help you get it right.
 
So, now is the time, just go and do it!!
 
 

10 Best optical illusions that will blow your mind

Take 4 mins out to exercise your mind, and review these 10 optical illusions, there are a couple that don't work for me - but you might be able to see all 10!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4M1MbzZbXg